UPDATED Should I join NFCU or wait? Help! (WENT FOR IT AND OMG - IN SHOCK)

[Creditobsessed12]

I am going to get a checking account with NFCU and I would like to get a CC and possibly a LOC or loan. I have credit debt that I would like to transfer over and take advantage of a lower rate. My scores are EQ 659 TU 676 EX 683, utilization is 36 percent, high CL is 15k, and income is over 100k. My scores were all above 700 but I have a late from Jan 2017 that I am working on getting removed should I wait to apply or should I go for it? I really don't want to get a low limit because I want to transfer some balances. My ultimate goal is to get a HELOC with them so that I can make home improvements once my debt is almost paid off.

[Anonymous]

Do you qualify for Navy Fed membership?

[Creditobsessed12]

I do through my brother.

[Creditobsessed12]

What are your thoughts?

[Creditobsessed12]

The scores above are my fico 8 scores.

[Sandman771]

I would say go ahead and join to start the relationship. If you don't get the large CL, just wait 3 months show them you're responsible and they will reward you well. Navy is truly a group that if you're good to them they'll be good to you. So just by joining you have nothing to lose and they may give you a nice SL on a CC. 

My FICO is way worse than yours and I got one. 

[Creditobsessed12]

What was your SL?

[Creditobsessed12]

Any other advice from anyone else??

[jdxprs1]

Go ahead and join. As for applying for a card, I'd personally try to get utilization down at least under 30 before applying.

[Anonymous]

I joined with scores of 620's-630's, income of $75k, a few baddies from 2+ years ago. My SL was $3700. I didn't attempt to recon my SL, like some have successfully done. I haven't hit 90 days yet, but I'm hopeful for a boost when I do. Anecdotally, they seem to give good increases, even if you don't start very high. I'd say go for it. If you don't get the SL you want initially, I'd bet (with your stats) that you'd get a nice increase in three months.

Edit to add: my utilization when I applied was around 30% +/-.